Global Sustainable Tourism Council

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) establishes and manages global sustainable
standards with the aim of increasing sustainable tourism knowledge and practices among
public and private stakeholders. The GSTC is independent and neutral, serving the
important role of managing its global baseline standards for sustainability in travel
and tourism. It is mostly a volunteer organization, consisting of experts in sustainable
tourism and supported by organizations and individuals with a passion for ensuring
that meaningful standards are available globally for sustainability in travel and
tourism. Financial support from donations, sponsorship, and membership fees are critical
to our own sustainability.

At the heart of this work are the Global Sutainable Tourism Council's Sustainability
Criteria. There are two sets of GSTC Criteria: Destination Criteria (GSTC-D) and Hotel
& Tour Operator Criteria (GSTC-H&TO). These are the guiding principles and minimum
requirements that any tourism business or destination should aspire to reach in order
to protect and sustain the world's natural and cultural resources, while ensuring
tourism meets its potential as a tool for conservation and poverty alleviation. Sustainability
is imperative for all tourism stakeholders and must translate from words to actions.

The GSTC is a USA-registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization that represents a diverse
and global membership, including UN agencies, leading travel companies, hotels, country
tourism boards, tour operators, individuals and communities – all striving to achieve
best practices in sustainable tourism. We are a virtual organization with staff and
volunteers working from all six populated continents.

Membership is open to all interested parties and does not by itself imply endorsement
by the GSTC of the policies and practices of the member organization.